Bangkok: Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, expressed optimism about the potential signing of an agreement with Cambodia during the upcoming ASEAN summit. He stated that if Cambodia accepts Thailand's proposal, it will lead to a signing at the meeting. Anutin emphasized the confidence he has in the negotiating team, which is committed to prioritizing the interests, honor, and sovereignty of Thailand.
According to Thai News Agency, the discussions followed a recent Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting where Cambodia used the term "land ownership adjustment" instead of "demolition" for the Nong Chan-Nong Ya Kaeo area. Anutin highlighted that Cambodia had accepted the General Border Committee's (GBC) four conditions, and he stressed the importance of proceeding step by step. He expressed hope that the ASEAN meeting in Malaysia would facilitate the signing of a statement that could lead to the implementation of these conditions.
When questioned about the potential repercussions of Cambodia's terminology change from "demolition" to "land tenure adjustment" at the JBC meeting, Anutin assured that the negotiators had reached conclusions that aligned with Thailand's interests and sovereignty. He reiterated that the JBC focuses on border management, with pre-existing agreements on responsibilities, while the GBC concentrates on Cambodia's commitments post-signing of the four conditions. Anutin underscored the importance of the timing for signing the agreement to establish operational guidelines, noting the involvement of various leaders in the discussions.